Marton Fucsovics avoided a near-collapse in the second set to hold off Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 7-6(3) in the final of the Winston-Salem Open on Sunday afternoon.
Fucsovics squandered a 5-1 lead in the second, which included a double-fault on championship point. However, the Hungarian steadied himself with a convincing hold at 5-6 and he dominated the ensuing tiebreaker from start to finish.
This is Fucsovics’ third ATP title and first on a hard court.
“I’m speechless, really,” the 33-year-old commented. “I had a long career, a couple of trophies. Actually, this is my third. I’m 33 and a half years old–so I belong to the older generation. But I’m still here, winning an ATP 250…. So I will keep on fighting. I’m enjoying tennis right now. I’m going to play as long as I can. I love this sport, so it’s very emotional for me.”
Van de Zandschulp is now 0-3 lifetime in ATP finals. Both of his previous runner-up finishes came on the red clay of Munich in 2022 and 2023.
Fucsovics will face Denis Shapovalov in round one of the U.S. Open on Tuesday. Van de Zandschulp has a Monday start against Holger Rune, who beat the Dutchman in the 2023 Munich title match.
nice one, Fucs